EDISON — Students in the township’s middle and elementary schools will be able to learn the game of golf this coming school year .
The school district has teamed upwith the NewJerseyGolf Foundation to bring theGolf in Schools programinto the schools at no cost to the district.
“This is a free program,” JimMuldowney, supervisor of health and physical education for Edison schools, reiterated when Superintendent of Schools Richard O’Malley asked him a second time. “We are excited to be bringing the game of golf into the physical education classes in all the elementary schools and middle schools.”
Muldowney said the program will bring more fitness into the physical education program, while also teaching students responsibility and stress management.
Scott Kmiec, executive director of the NewJersey PGA, said the program is the first step in exposing students to the game of golf. He said the next step would be to create afterschool golf programs and arrange access to area golf courses.
It is an exciting time for the game of golf in the Edison area, he noted, with The Barclays
PGA Tour event coming to the Plainfield Country Club on Woodland Avenue on Aug. 23-28.
Kmiec said the program in the schools would help to educate children about golf and dispel the idea that it is an elitist and expensive sport to play.
He cited statistics showing that 60 percent of youthswho are introduced to golf at a young age will continue playing the game, some becoming lifelong golfers. However, 30 percent of youths who are not introduced to the game at a young age will likely never pick it up.
Muldowney said the lesson plans will be incorporated into the physical education curriculum. These will include lessons on putting, chipping and full swings. In October, New Jersey PGA professionals will come to the school district and train the physical education teachers. These professionals are not the famous golfers seen on television.
“No, Tiger Woods is not coming here,” Muldowney said with a smile.
The Golf in Schools program, according to the New Jersey PGAwebsite, is part of the New Jersey Golf Foundation Inc., the charitable armof the New Jersey PGA. Its mission is to promote and advance the game of golf in New Jersey as an amateur sport with youth and junior golfers, new golfers and women.
“The economy has definitely hit the game of golf, and this is an important program in helping sustain the game in New Jersey,” said Kmiec.